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Brunt pleased with sensible West Brom approach

27 June 2013 15:25

Chris Brunt has praised West Brom's sensible approach in the transfer market.

Despite never paying more than £5 million for a player – the club's record transfer was £4.7 million to Real Mallorca for Spanish midfielder Borja Valero in 2008 – West Brom have been able to steadily improve in recent years.

Finishes of 11th, 10th and eighth in their last three Premier League campaigns have established the club in the top flight.

And captain Brunt cited the club's shrewd transfer dealings as a key reason for their success.

"We've gone about things steadily and not done anything major too quickly," Brunt told the club's official website.

"We've just built every season and things have improved, and I'd say that's the best way to do it for a club of our size. Everybody wants success as quickly as possible but it's not just about the football pitch.

"There's a lot more to the club than just us on a Saturday, and it's a well-run club for the size of it and the attendances we've got. The way we do things is definitely the right way for a club of our size.

"It's all very well throwing a lot of money at it but if it all goes wrong you end up down in the Championship with debt. We have seen a lot of teams go back down, struggle financially and not be able to get back up again.

"Since I've been here we've been down once but we went down knowing we were going to be strong in the Championship and now we've come up and established ourselves in the Premier League again."

The 28-year-old Brunt, who has played at least 30 matches in each of his six seasons at West Brom, said that the quality of players at the club has improved year on year.

And he is expecting this off-season to be no different, as manager Steve Clarke looks to strengthen his squad.

"No disrespect to anyone that's been here, but the quality of players here has stepped up as the seasons have gone on and I'm sure that will be no different next season," he said.

"Every summer is big, especially for a club of our size. Every summer players move on and the club have to be smart in their decision-making, but in my time here they have done that.